Champion cup title race continues

THERE are a number of interesting clashes down for decision this weekend in Round 3 of the Clare Champion Cup, senior hurling league.
The meeting of Clarecastle and Inagh-Kilnamona will see Clarecastle member, Ken Ralph, in opposition to his own club as he takes charge of Inagh-Kilnamona for a second year.
The Magpies are under new management with Martin Sheedy in charge and they have won both their games to date, while Inagh-Kilnamona will be hoping to get back to winning ways, having lost their last outing to Crusheen.
Unbeaten Crusheen travel to play Clonlara in what could be the game of the round. Despite being without the experienced Pat Vaughan and Gerry O’Grady, Crusheen have shown impressive form to date and they will be hoping to build on that this week. Clonlara are also unbeaten so neither side will want to suffer their first loss, which should ensure a lively contest.
Newmarket and Cratloe each have one win and one loss from their opening games. Newmarket will be without the injured James McInerney when they entertain their neighbours but they will be fancied to collect their second win of the campaign.
Sixmilebridge and Tulla are both without points at this stage and both will be keen to get their first points on the board when they clash at O’Garney Park. The home side will carry the favourites’ tag into this one.
Clooney-Quin, fresh from their U-21B success, will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to play Whitegate on Sunday.
In Division 1B, the meeting of neighbours O’Callaghan’s Mills and Broadford should bring a good crowd to Kilkishen. Unbeaten Kilmaley travel to play Tubber and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run. Wolfe Tones travel to play Feakle and both will be hoping to maintain their winning run. Éire Óg will entertain Smith O’Brien’s, who are seeking their first win of the campaign, while Gurteen will be the venue for the meeting of St Joseph’s and Ballyea, who are both seeking to get away from the bottom of the table.
In Division 2, there will be three games this weekend. Crusheen beat Ogonnelloe in their Round 3 tie, which was played last week. Parteen will be hoping to extend their winning run when they entertain Sixmilebridge.
Scariff make the journey to Ennistymon hoping to get back to winning ways after losing to Parteen last time out, while the remaining game will see neighbours Ruan and Corofin meet in what will be a repeat of last year’s intermediate semi-final, which Ruan won after a replay.